Below is my column in USA Today on the possibility of a “Doomsday scenario” where President Donald Trump first fired (or forces the resignation) of Jeff Sessions and then moves to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller. That scenario was reinforced yesterday with reports that Trump has discussed firing Sessions and giving a recess appointment to his successor — the very scenario laid out earlier in this column. In addition, Trump blasted Sessions again yesterday — this time criticizing him for not replacing Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, whose wife ran for office in Virginia in 2015 and received large contributions from the Democratic Party.
Trump’s unrelenting criticism of Sessions is occurring at the same time as new leaks about his discussing not just a replacement but a recess appointment — something the Democrats have vowed to prevent. The question is whether some Republicans might join in that effort to prevent the type of Doomsday scenario laid out in this earlier column.
Many in Washington are baffled by President Trump’s continuing attacks on Attorney General Jeff Sessions, most recently at Tuesday’s news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
Trump is clearly angry that Sessions recused himself from the investigation of Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election, but what does the president hope to gain in a one-sided verbal war with one of his most loyal supporters? Does the president have a strategy or is he merely venting?
The hope among Republicans is that this tweet storm too shall pass. But there is another possibility, that the president is intentionally pushing his administration past the fail-safe point to engineer the termination of the special counsel investigation by first removing the attorney general.
The costs would be both immediate and potentially prohibitive, but the idea that Trump would act is not so far-fetched. Why would he do it? The reason should chill every Republican on Capitol Hill to the bone. Trump said that “time will tell” in how he deals with Sessions. His failure to answer direct questions on Sessions’ future is telling enough.
First, it is important to state the obvious. Sessions, Trump’s most loyal supporter in the Senate during the presidential campaign, acted entirely appropriately in recusing himself from the Russian investigation, despite Trump’s recent statement that he would never have appointed him if he knew Sessions would recuse himself.
By insisting that Sessions should not have recused, Trump is saying Sessions should have taken an unethical path, ignoring the views of the Justice Department ethics lawyers he consulted. Similarly, Trump’s suggestion that Sessions should have opened up investigations into the president’s 2016 general election opponent and the Democrats contradicts long-standing rules against political influence over Justice Department investigations.
The renewed attacks on Sessions as “weak” and “beleaguered” and disappointing has convinced many that Trump is trying to get Sessions to voluntarily resign. The conspicuous absence of Sessions from key events, such as the Boy Scout Jamboree attended by other Eagle Scouts in the Cabinet, has fueled the speculation that the attorney general is being sent a clear signal that he is persona non grata.
I believe that Sessions would do a disservice to his department by resigning, but he could conclude that the loss of trust and a working relationship with the president makes his continuation as attorney general dangerous for the country.
That would set the scene for a doomsday scenario.
Here is how it would work. If Trump wants to stop the expansion or even the continuation of the special counsel investigation, his problem is not really with the attorney general. When Sessions recused himself, his deputy, Rod Rosenstein, gained authority over the Russia investigation and appointed Bob Mueller. If ordered to fire the special counsel he appointed, the assumption is that Rosenstein would either have to be fired or resign (as did his predecessors in the Nixon administration when ordered to fire Archibald Cox). Presumably, Rosenstein’s subordinates would then follow suit (as was the case in Nixon). It would continue until Trump could find or appoint a new Robert Bork (who as solicitor general finally fired Cox).
Removing Sessions is the simple alternative to that drawn-out and messy prospect. If Sessions leaves, whether he is fired or forced out by Trump’s continuing abuse, the president could appoint an attorney general with no ties to the campaign and no objective reason to recuse himself or herself. He could even make the appointment during a recess and avoid the Senate confirmation process to allow the immediate exercise of authority as attorney general.
Democrats are reportedly moving to block a recess with a filibuster if needed, but Trump has been (thus far unsuccessfully) calling for the Senate to rewrite its rules to restrict the filibuster. If Trump and Senate Republican supporters were successful in changing the rules, there would be no confirmation vote — allowing GOP senators to publicly express outrage but not have to take any action.
The recess appointee could then take over control of the special counsel investigation and either limit its scope or terminate Mueller. Rosenstein would likely resign in protest, but that would merely allow Trump another key recess appointment.
The immediate response to such an action would be calls for the reinstatement of the Independent Counsel Act, but (with both houses in Republican control) Trump may think that he has enough votes to block such a counter move. If so, the only Russia probes remaining would be congressional investigations led by Republicans. Trump could then use the Justice Department to open up investigations of the Clintons and Democrats in their dealings with Russians, Ukrainians and others.
Of course, there would also be immediate calls for the drafting of articles of impeachment, but Trump is a classic margin player in both business and politics. An impeachment effort requires a two-thirds supermajority in the Senate — 67 votes — to remove Trump from office. Math is on his side.
The common assumption in Washington is that the costs of such a strategy would be simply too high. Trump would plummet even further in the polls, and skittish Republicans could easily bolt on Capitol Hill.
But Trump won the 2016 election by constantly defying such assumptions, and those plummeting polls are just what may give him the opportunity to do it again.
Trump could be coming close to developing Christie Syndrome. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie reached record lows in the polls recently at around 15% approval. That is getting precariously close to the margin of error for polling. If he goes any lower, pollsters could just start listing the names of his supporters.
Backed into that corner, Christie responded with the ultimate Italian salute from a beach in Jersey. After the state barred citizens from beaches due to the budget impasse, Christie basked in the sun with his family and then dismissed the anger of his constituents. It became so bad that when Christie recently caught a ball (left handed) at a Mets game and gave the ball to an adorable kid, he was actually booed. Booed. Most politicians have nightmares of such a situation but Christie shows that it can actually be liberating. It is almost impossible to go below 10% because a certain number of polled citizens either love you for being an entertaining car wreck or just mistake you for their favorite singer Meat Loaf.
Trump could reach a Christie stage and conclude that with three years to recover, he has little to lose but much to gain in shutting down the special counsel investigation. Of course, the problem is that the move could hand not one but two houses to the Democrats after the midterm — with a serious threat of impeachment and removal. Yet, that would be then and this is now. Trump might believe that his core of 35%-40% supporters would stick with him, and that’s good enough to keep the GOP in line and even secure the nomination for a second term.
So there is the doomsday scenario based on mutually assured destruction. All doomsday scenarios are based on the belief that despite the horrific losses, you will be one most likely to crawl out of the radioactive wreckage. In other words, the last guy standing wins.
Jonathan Turley, the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University, is a member of USA TODAY’s Board of Contributors. Follow him on Twitter: @JonathanTurley
As reported today Sessions responded by ordering a major crack down on leaking. Mewller continued to produce nothing but very expensive lawyers …doing nothing but playing feather merchants.
And you know this because you watch Gox Spews?
There are emails out there which state that Sessions works for ISIS.
No to Christie. We don’t need some fat slob who speaks turdy, turd and a turd and hails from Jersey.
Trump is clearly angry that Sessions recused himself from the investigation of Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election, but what does the president hope to gain in a one-sided verbal war with one of his most loyal supporters?
I don’t believe that statement is entirely correct. I believe it’s ludicrous to assume Trump is angry that his AG has taken this ethical approach. I believe Trump is angry that he was not informed prior to Sessions confirmation and swearing in that he would recuse himself. I have to believe Trump and Sessions had discussions about how he, Sessions, would run the DOJ, including the Russian conspiracy investigation prior to his nomination. Did Sessions inform the President that he may have to recuse himself? Did he tell him he would not? Did he instill confidence in the President that he would not and then had to based on public pressure to do so?
While Sessions has recused himself from all things Russia concerning Trump, what we don’t know is what other investigations are ongoing that have managed to avoid leaking. This whole dust up with Sessions may actually be a diversionary tactic to keep all eyes on Trump while his AG has all eyes on Clinton, the DNC, DWS, etc.
We already live in the doomsday. It appears that the IC is in control of this country. At most, differing factions take over for a while then are forced to yield to other factions. Trump is doing as he is told. There is extreme chaos because the IC is causing it.
We the people need to see through our sham govt. and into the people who are attempting to control this nation. They should be the ones who are confronted. Until then, the focus on Trump’s foibles only serves his masters.
The Daily DNC Programmer has spoken through RoboClone Collective Stay tune for the next version.
I think Jill makes a strong point. The intelligence community refuses to put this stupid issue to rest. It’s so bad it makes the Salem witch trials more credible. These people in the “intelligence community” keep the myth alive for political opportunity, which does not nothing good outside that heinous diamond of land known as DC.
Trump is a transactional guy and willing to take an unreasonable position to negotiate for a reasonable one. In that regard, he’s “driven.”. When viewed through that prism everything he does makes sense and scares the Hell out of the swamp and even some of his supporters like Sessions who Trump holds responsible for slowing his agenda by virtue of the righteous though inconvenient recusal. It’s an “Et tu Brute” kinda thing for the loyalty lovin’ business mogul turned President.
We have two choices really:
First, we accept the status quo sans Trump and endure the endless Washington subservience to special interests which will inevitably spiral into a more visible, ruthless oligarchy enslaving us all. You can read Gibbon if you want the preview of coming attractions; or
Second, we let Trump upset the apple cart of bureaucrats, special interests, lobbyists and the like with all the chaos and backbiting that is likely to ensue and then see if that whirlwind drives the liberty devouring creatures from the murk. If he fails. we’re right back to our first choice albeit with a reinvigorated swamp.
Take your pick.
Well said Mespo. I always appreciate your arguments. Sometimes I don’t like them, but they are always well-presented. I have felt the best that Trump could offer would be a course of action that would result in a collapse of the special interest-driven government. I don’t think he’ll be around to see it, but we’ll hope it reaches critical mass before he’s disposed of. So I guess, “bring on the unfortunate events!”
And I, yours, slohrss29. I’ll take a Moses about now. He can get you close to the Promised Land. We can get a Joshua later.
When has the likelihood of a presidential action triggering a cascade of unfortunate events ever stopped our so called president from doing as he pleases? He has absolutely no sense of how his actions will play out. He is as blindly impulsive as a spoiled child, which is all he is.
RoboClone Collective and the second version of The Party’s position. Who would think that The Collective would have a personal opinion? Defines logic. but what do you expect from the DNC programmers? Nothing. PS Not your President or so you keep chanting. Slipped up on that one Robo.
How do you keep a liberal in suspense? MMMMmmmmmm gotcha penciled in for August.
Something Glenn Reynolds is willing to discuss and JT is not: we have every reason to believe the Mueller investigation is a fraudulent fishing expedition, and a pretty brazen one.
“we have every reason to believe the Mueller investigation is a fraudulent fishing expedition” —
Certainly this must be the case given Mueller is a Republican, appointed by the GOP; A war hero; A man considered to be the greatest FBI Director in history by BOTH parties; A man BOTH parties have by majority consensus described as a figure of unimpeachable integrity. This is in fact why Sen. Graham today is actually drafting a bill and legislation that will all but prevent Trump from firing Mueller, but of course your words that dismiss Mueller’s historic reputation and brand him as nothing more than a untrustworthy democratic stooge fishing for anything to get Trump should be defining. You simply embarrass yourself.
Certainly this must be the case given Mueller is a Republican,
Where is he registered to vote?
RINO
What is Mueller’s claim to fame? He went against GWB and a provision of the Patriot Act. Anything else he did that you can tell us that makes him greater than other mortals?
I should have added that despite him being considered a member of the GOP his closer relationships in his lawfirm gave almost last dollar donated to the Democrats and Hillary.
I see no indication he is ‘a member of the GOP’. He had a half-dozen years in private practice between 1973 and 2013. Prior to 2001, he was a career prosecutor who had had some time working in criminal defense and such. The Republicans he’s been most closely associated with have included Wm. Weld and Richard Thornburgh, i.e. the sort of Republican who is most likely to think sunbelt vulgarians have stolen their toys.
Where is he registered to vote: California, Maryland, DC, Virginia?
One thing I’d like to know is why George W. Bush and John Ashcroft tapped a prosecutor with no history of police work (and no apparent history of having many people working under him) to run an agency with a five-digit workforce.
A generation ago, Michael Kinsley offered that Washington figures tend to expand (‘like a gas) ‘to fill whatever office they’re occupying’. The stories in the papers have one of several predictable templates. I do wonder how many such people are on the level (rather than just adept at the leaked-information-for-good-press trade).
Again, Comey and Mueller are close associates. That in and of itself should have provoked Mr. Rock-of-Integrity to resign. The donation history of the mess of lawyers he then hired (something that’s easy to check) would have provoked embarrassment in someone who hadn’t got the idea in his head that he must not be questioned.
People like to make other people bigger than real life so that they can grow with their supposed idols.
I know squat about Mueller, but considering the close association he has with Comey, I wouldn’t trust him at all. There is such a thing known as ‘arms length dealings’. This association between the two isn’t even a finger’s length. That makes Mueller, in my opinion, into a person without scruples what so ever. What I don’t understand is how supposedly bright people from the start thought he was such a great person after seeing him accept a position he should have declined based upon ethical considerations.
Need an AG with a big iron
Big Iron on his hip. Stranger didn’t have to much to say. No one dared to ask his business. 20 men tried to take him. He was an Arizona Ranger after Texas Red.
It was 11:20am. Folks were watching from their windows & everybody held their breath.
TJ – this reminds me of the great Texas Ranger story. About the rioting town and only one Texas Ranger showing up. When the sheriff asked him why him why he was by himself, the supposedly said, “One riot, one Ranger” And then went to work stopping the riot.
Yeah, like in Blazing Saddles when the Mayor let the Freedmen into town to live and also fight the outlaws. But then he said: But Not The Irish!
Sessions looks like Irish.
Excellent!
One can dance legally around and around until the cows come home. However, if you cut to the chase, Trump has thrived on BS and chaos; most of which he has created himself and/or exaggerated, and without a doubt fostered and ridden to the Presidency. Trump is almost entirely a product of the frustration and angst most of us experience ranging from the ‘everyman’ condition of insignificance and helplessness to being able to see through the BS and hypocrisy of our oligarchy. Trump hitched his wagon to pure anger which can be seen throughout his political career along side the vacuum regarding substance pertaining to the issues.
So, this Sessions thing promotes the chaos of ‘What’s he gonna do.’, provides objects he can target as being wrong-given that he is 100% right and the only one that can fix stuff, and prepares the future to be even more off the beam. One might ask, why is Trump attacking Sessions now for something he did several months ago? Why didn’t Trump at least comment on this when Sessions recused himself? The answer is this is nothing more than the stuff rants and raves are made of. The dupes that voted for Trump, thrive on rants and raves.
If anything good comes out of this it will be the illustration of just what happens when an complete idiot is placed in the Oval Office. The test of the American system will be found in how the GOP gets rid of this mental retard without losing their power. Now is the time when the Democrats are in disarray. When the Democrats find another Obama, and perhaps take back the Senate, the GOP will be in for a long rest, along with finger pointing to not only equal but surpass Bush. Anybody who truly loves America and has half a brain must be asking themselves, why is our system filled by so many idiots and asshO^*s; how did a complete fool like Trump get to be President.
“Trump has thrived on BS and chaos; most of which he has created himself”
What BS. The left created the illusion that Trump might be dealing with the Russians while Obama tells Medvedev that things will change in his second term, Hillary sells uranium to the Russians, the DNC and Shultz higher foreigners to maintain their secret computer information and then attempt to obstruct justice. After one year of investigation nothing has been found against Trump yet the left and left wing media keep printing this stuff and create confusion and chaos. That is how the left works all over the world. Remember the Russian Revolution?
Trump has done nothing but exaggerate, lie, and point fingers since he hit the scene. A lot of what he says is true. Most of it is exaggerated. He has lied more than any politician to date. This is a well proven strategy. Create and exacerbate chaos and then put yourself up as the ‘only one’ who can fix it. So, this is Trump fixing stuff: lying, exaggerating, firing those who don’t agree with him, bringing the Boy Scouts in, etc.
You can’t mention much of significance where Trump lied, but you are right in that when he talks he uses terms like greatest, but he always uses those terms so most intelligent people recognize what they mean. By the way I have the greatest wife, the most beutiful wife in the world and the smartest woman I have ever met. I guess after saying those things you should assemble a grand jury and charge me with exaggeration.
Did you ever hear of the word puffery? When someone buys a used car the seller will say ‘this car has at least another 10 years’. When the purchaser finds the car broken after 10 days he is furious (much like you are) and sues the seller. When he screams to the judge that he was promised at least 10 years the judge dismisses the case and calls it puffery.
Allen
Keep writing, Puffery, Used Car Salesman, you described this con artist President perfectly. There is simply no there, there. There is a lot that appeals to some.
Trump is a salesman. He is a promoter and knows how to promote real estate. But he is also extremely intelligent and knows how to push your buttons. That is why you lose and he wins. That is why Hillary lost and he won.
Already in the White House despite the lack of help from Congress he has managed to turn around much of what Obama did. I think he used about 127 executive acts to do so. He fulfilled his biggest promise and that was to reduce illegal immigration and get rid of illegal criminals. He is changing the VA and I believe fired 400-500 people that weren’t doing their jobs which is to assure our veterans proper care. He has seen over an ever improving economy and reduced unemployment at a far faster rate than Obama who had it easy with so many people unemployed. He is changing the attitude of our NATO partners which is a necessity if NATO is to mean anything. He keeps plugging away while you and your ilk try to hold him back. There is a lot more that he has done, but I have listed several pages of them in several replies already.
Allen
Nothing can be called the result of this or that President’s economic policies until at the very least eight months after he or she is sworn in. This is an accepted time period by both sides. What has been going on for the past six months plus as well as for the past several years is only due to Obama, whether or not you approve or not. Trump has escalated an already successful immigration policy but has had no effect on unemployment, which is at its lowest thanks to Obama. As will a con man Trump has taken credit for many economic moves that were already established under Obama, regardless of whether or not Obama had anything to do with them. Trump has bellowed and lied and actually done more harm to America than good.
‘Obama who had it easy with so many people unemployed’ illustrates perfectly your obtuse perspective. Obama came on board as the ship was sinking and not only kept it afloat but set it back on course. Because he stepped on a few toes, rattled a few cages, didn’t undo the harm done by the three stooges fast and completely enough, and is left; everything he did is seen as wrong by Trump supporters. If you step back a bit and read your stuff, you will see more clearly that there are a few positive moves but completely buried under a smell America will have to endure for some time to come.
All things said and done, the main culprit here is the American people and their religious adherence to a failed system. America is an oligarchy and half the population cheers when the head oligarch is elected President and the other half complains. The problem is that America’s nose is so far up its self righteous a** that it can’t smell its own hypocrisy. It’s time to rewrite and revamp the system. Now, let’s hear a valid argument for our oligarchy, our concentrated funding of puppets, our disgusting hypocritical manner of governing ourselves. That is the real issue here. Trump is the head oligarch, not interested in draining the swamp. He is also mentally unstable. Who else would attempt to enlist Boy Scouts to bolster his ego and position. Pathetic and disgusting.
Allan,
Repeat after me: Obama good; Trump bad.
As you have probably noticed, there are a few on this blog that filter everything through those 4 words. Debating with them is like playing tennis against a machine. You’d beat them 6-Love, 6-Love and they’d still think they won. 🙂
Olly, Your four words encompasses Issacs entire knowledge on the present subject. I find it amazing that he is willing to embarrass himself so badly. Then again, maybe he knows even less than I think he does and thinks himself a scholar. I often wonder how people with such little knowledge make money, but then I recognize how big a bureaucracy we have where understanding the economy is not a prerequisite.
“Nothing can be called the result of this or that President’s economic policies until at the very least eight months after he or she is sworn in.”
Issac, your comment demonstrates how little understanding you have of big business. Perception is of extreme importance. Just look at the stock market everytime something major happens. If you think that only pertains to the stock market you are wrong. If businesses perceive a good business environment they will actively quickly and I believe some of the changes were seen starting with Trump’s win accelerating from there.
“Trump has escalated an already successful immigration policy”
Bull. Obama was attempting to subvert the law of the land.
“ but has had no effect on unemployment”
Bull. look at how rapidly the U 6 fell once Trump took office. It fell many times faster than under Obama for the year before and it should actually have fallen slower since once one reaches near full employment the drop in the U 6 should slow down.
I can’t bother to waste so much time commenting on the rest of your fantasy especially since your first statement proves you know nothing about the subject. Is it coincidental that it appears that Obama knew nothing about the subject either.
Allen
You have proven yourself to be pure Trumpfodder. Now, add that to indoctrinating the Boy Scouts. Now, add that to appointing an attorney general and then threatening him when he doesn’t do your bidding. Now, add that to constant lying. Now, add that to constant reference to loyalty to the President before all else. Now, do some math and realize that a few inches here and there are constantly being represented as yuge. Now, look at the entrenched oligarchical system of government. Now!!!!!
>
Issac, You make that accusation because because you are incapable of coming up with better answers. You are too used to just saying things without the requisite proof.
I think the Boy Scouts represent the best in America and Obama could never find time to meet them in person. I don’t think he liked them. The Democrats certainly didn’t when the booed the Boy Scouts at the DNC. You feel hurt that a group that is booed by Democrats cheers a Republican President. I’m glad you feel that way, because you represent a backward way of thinking and the President is trying to reverse what those of your ilk have created.
Trump didn’t threaten Sessions who serves at the President’s desire. He told him he was disappointed and disappointed he should be. Sessions shouldn’t have done what he did in the manner he did it. I guess earlier you booed Sessions, but now that Trump said he was disappointed in Sessions you might cheer Sessions. You are in lockstep with your ideological Gods that tell you how to think. While you are trying to figure out what you are supposed to say next take note that with Sessions increased support he might find it easier to weed out the leaks.
You say the President lies, but that assumes you know what the word “lies” means. I don’t think you do. Tell us the lies the President made that were of substance and not a mistake or opinion. Let’s get it out. Let us hear that list you have been talking about for so long. By the way you lied when you said “loyalty to the President ***before all else***”. The President never said that. Find the quote or reckon with the fact that you are a liar.
Remember the Russian Revolution. Remember Hitler Youth.
Yes I know all about Hitler youth and then remember Obama had grade school kids singing prasies to him. What Hitler did was essentially dehumanize the minorities so much so that eventually they could stomach murding millions upon millions of people. The left of this country does the same, just not to that great an extent. Take note of Hillaries use of the word deplorable. Take note of the violence of the left on campus’s as they try to prevent free speech.
Of all people, Issac states: “when an complete idiot is placed in the Oval Office. “
The inmates in the mental institutions are always complaining that they are the ones that are sane.
If you cut to the Chase you get Chevy Chase. Trump is better.
America would be a lot better off with Chevy Chase.
The Third version of The Partys’ Collective truth from another foreign troll. moveon.unorg
JT makes an analogy to baseball. It became so bad that when Christie recently caught a ball (left handed) at a Mets game and gave the ball to an adorable kid, he was actually booed.
So Gov Chris Christie is in the pitching pen for AG.
I’m checking to see what the odds makers in Las Vegas are betting.
Christie would be a horrid choice.
What goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas……Place your bet.
Which is exactly why Trump woukd choose him. Trump takes pride in his record of horrid choices. In the unlikely chance he can find someone worse than Christie, he will choose him.
Jared will block him as he has done before. Remember Christie successfully prosecuted the father.
the fourth version of The Party’s Collective thought for the day. moveon.unorg nothing here.
Sessions isn’t going anywhere. Trump’s BS is designed to designed to deflect attention from his Russia
“problems”.
He probably told Sessions to go after Pot, illegal aliens etc. – to protect his longtime friends Bill & Hillary.
*
Concerning cannabis – I’d argue the contrary… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWIQhDbs1g8 Here’s our capitalist POTUS saying he’s for medical cannabis & recreational use is a states rights issue. This has sent alarm bells thru DC as these are billion dollar industries! The DC socialists can not afford to give this much economic power back to the people. Cannabis for medicine & hemp for food would destroy their monopoly over us. Sessions feels the heat over this “unspeakable issue”. He’s torn between the socialist Deep Staters & a capitalist President. Plus, somehow Sessions feels God’s green herb is evil? Adios, Sessions.
This is a good piece by Professor Turley.
If Trump were to continue down this hypothetical path, would Congress muster the courage needed to stop a President from becoming a Prince?
I think it may depend on Trump’s popular support level. If low enough, I think most republicans would stand for the republic over party. If Trump can maintain republican support then echoes of Cicero would begin to ring in my ear.
Ultimately, through all the machinations, it is We the people.
What kind of government do we really want?
One free of those who owe their allegiance to a foreign ideology. and can’t tell the diffrence between a Representative Constitutional Republic and a fairy tail called ‘democracy.’
In other words. educated.
good
I note that this type of editorial seems to have more weight than it is worth, but I note that this was a published editorial. Too much of the same garbage being published, but I don’t blame Truley for he is merely writing what the mainstream media wants to hear, continued attacks on Trump. If the media were more balanced Turley would be forced (and might even like to be) to write on other subjects involving the law or even on subjects that would negatively impact those on the left that have demonstrated consideral criminal activity.
In the last 24 hours Trump has attacked Sessions, Collins, and Murkowski.
In the last 24 hours Trump has attacked Sessions, Collins, and Murkowski.
Murkowski is a grisly character and Collins is always a problem for party whips.
Attacking the lbgqt community, the moderate republicans, and Sessions all in one day is a recipe for becoming isolated with supporters that think like you do.
Attacking the lbgqt community,
He debarred from the military damaged individuals who engage in cross-dressing and want surgery and hormone treatments under the illusion that they were born in the ‘wrong’ body. Neither Trump nor anyone else is under any obligation to feed the delusions of such people. You’re not doing them any favors when you do.
In addition Trump’s latest golden Goldman boy attacked Priebus for leaking.
You are aware the mainstream media is now Fox/AP and the former occupants are the left stream media?
Of course, and I am also aware that Trump uses the media very effectively despite what a lot of people think. See what I wrote just a couple of minutes ago.
OK, here is the Moral Question at issue, laid out in a hypothetical.
You have a tag team match between a team of Good Wrestlers, and a team of Bad Wrestlers. The Good Wrestlers (The Rock and John Cena) versus (Kane and the Undertaker).
Every time the Bad Guys get The Rock in their corner, one of them holds him up while his partner whomps him over the head with a folding metal chair. This is clearly not ethical conduct. Ahhh, but just before he passes out from concussions and stuff, The Rock manages to back flip into an Atomic Suflex, which stuns the Undertaker. The Rock slowly crawls over to his own corner with the momentarily paralyzed Undertaker in his grasp.
The Rock begs John Cena to give the Undertaker some of the same business that he, The Rock, was given. But John Cena has just accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and he refuses to break the rules, and clobber the Undertaker with a chair, or mercilessly pummel him while the Rock holds him. No, John Cena, good little Christian, refuses to fight fire with fire, because he is above that sort of stuff now. Jesus would be unhappy if he cheated, and like John Cena says “Do unto others. . . blah blah blah.”
As a result, the Undertaker regains his wits, and carries the Rock back to Bad Guy Corner where they really go to work on him. The Rock is laid out, and 1…2…3— it’s over! The Bad Guys win. An ambulance is called to scrape The Rock off the mat and take him to the ICU.
Now, here is the Moral Question. Should John Cena have fought the Bad Guys the same way the Bad Guys fought the Good Guys? It is obvious that JT prefers John Cena to be civil, and decent, and all that, and respect the rules and not resort to Ad Hoc Mayhem like the Bad Guys.
But what do you think??? Because this is what you are dealing with between Trump and Sessions. Sessions is John Cena, and he is busily preoccupied being good and noble, while his partner is getting the stuffing kicked out of him, by all sorts of lies and unethical behavior.
Sooo, what do you think???
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Squeeky, Sessions, who is a gentleman and one that follows the Constitution, probably should have figured out another way of managing his recusal, but he didn’t. I beleive that to be a giant mistake. The President has ultimate power (over the AG office and the special prosecuter) and though I strongly support him I don’t don’t support him removing Sessions and I don’t think he will. The administration has to do something else to limit the investigation which has no boundaries, something that is absolutely nuts. However, should the President sack Sessions my support for the President wouldn’t diminish one iotal. There is too much at stake and he is dealing with a criminal “consipracy” that breaks the law on a daily basis.
Who has been responsible for taking the heat and vastly slowing down the influx of illegals and throwing out criminal illegals? Sessions. He takes the heat quite well and it might be difficult to find another man to do as good a job.
Now that the President has taken a more public action against the leakers, who will handle the criminal leakers imbeded into the agencies. Sessions is by the book and now that there is a Presidential mandate against the leakers I think Sessions will also do that very well..
Since Sessions recused himself, I am not sure that the President needs to remove Sessions to contain the special prosecutor’s investigation to just Russia. Except for political reasons he can keep firing the next in line to Sessions until one contains the special prosecutor.
The failure here (perhaps intentional) was Rosenstein’s. As soon as it was made public that 30% of the lawyers Mueller had hired were Democratic Party donors, Rosenstein should have fired Mueller for cause.
Why aren’t the Republicans strongly interested in removing illegals? Who do you think works in the kitchens of big restaurant chains, picks fruits and vegetables on big agri-business farms, does the laundry and housekeeping in big hotel chains, does the lawn mowing and landscaping for real estate management companies, does the janitorial work for big high rises and other big businesses, etc? Union workers? Americans? Are these people paid a fair wage, given health insurance, paid sick time or other fringes? Hell to the no! That’s why the Repubs don’t want to stop illegal immigration, nor are they in favor of mass deportation. Why don’t people like you go after them if you are so pissed off over illegal immigration and want something done about it? It would be regular people versus the millionaire business owners. Who will win the support of Republicans?
The fat orange blob with the pompadour you call President is scared poopless over Mueller looking into his finances, taxes, etc., all of which is fully appropriate. As was learned with Watergate: “follow the money”. Chubby fatass can’t control or limit the criminal investigation into him or his businesses because it cannot be disputed that the Russians hacked into computers and selectively released information in order to influence the election. The Russians offered damaging information to Chubby’s campaign. We know that Flynn was compromised as a result of his involvement with Russians. Those things have been proven, and this is a serious threat to our democracy. It must be fully investigated, and this includes The Donald’s taxes and business operations. If he’s in bed with the Russian government and/or Russian oligarchs, we have a right to know. There is no way to investigate the extent of the involvement of The Donald personally or his campaign without going through The Donald’s books and tax records. We also know that Chubby lies, repeatedly. He fired Sally Yates for warning him about the fact that Flynn is compromised. He’s scared to death, and lashing out like the immature narcissist he is. That ought to tell you a lot about what is likely in those records. If nothing criminal is there, and if the records show him to be the bazillionaire he likes people to think that he is, then he has nothing to fear.
You need to stop listening to Fox. The “problem” isn’t the leakers: it’s the illegal and immoral things Chump is doing or has done. The so-called “leakers” are true patriots. They know there’s an immoral narcissist occupying our WH. They’re going to save the country, and the Mooch can rattle his saber all he wants. Eventually, Chump will be found out.
Natacha, your comments are almost incoherent. I will deal with only one idea, immigration. The Democrats have been pushing for open borders and the Republicans have been on both sides.
Illegal immigration taxes municipalities because it is those muniipalities that have to pay for the schools, hospitals, police, welfare and all the services involved with the illegals. Trump wants to stop such immigration and limit it. Based upon what you said at the beginning you should be supporting him because by stopping illegal immigration American citizens can get many of those jobs and get higher salaries.
I am willing to pay more for my lettuce (because of higher wages to Americans) if that ends illegal immigration. Are you?
.I think we need Argentina Apollo to dropkick both of these teams out of the ring and onto the folding chairs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stID3382OrY
Excellent. Two wrongs don’t make a right but that is only if one of the wrongs supplants the other wrong instead of supporting what is good and decent. Only used when the first wrong has gone off the rails and publicly rejected their former status choosing to be – indecent.
Great piece squeak!
I don’t think I would put a lot of support behind any polls done by MSM. They over-poll Democrats to begin with. Remember all those states who voted to elect him? They are going to be pis*ed if he is impeached, even if it is not successful.
Paul, for the vast majority of my life I was never home and I was never polled. I am home more now for a short time period and I have had more polling calls than ever. When I worked full time I didn’t have time for polls. The only time I have for polls is when I am not working. Does that present the question of selection?
allan – there is a problem with people refusing to take polls, which skews the polls to begin with. Then there is there is the over-sampling problem.
Paul, add to that the “push” questions and so many other problems with polls.
Do you know what the best poll is? Who wins the Presidential election.
Which does not include a nationwide popularity poll.weighted in favor of two states. I rather like the tie breaker contingency methods where California gets one vote
https://twitter.com/ChuckGrassley/status/890365726825099271
Grassley has warned Trump that there will be no hearings on a new AG. TheSenate blocked Obama from making a recess appointment and they can do the same to Trump if McConnell is on board.
So their are three already confirmed. Sessions, Rosenstein and Brand. Grassley isn’t needed. which puts Gowdy off the hook until nomination for the Supreme Court.
Session resigns Rosenstein replaced by Brand. Not a particularly hard manuever.
Whatever happens with the federal probe, there are still state probes into his alleged money laundering activities with the Russians. Spiro Agnew was a sitting VP when he was indicted. No reason imo the same fate couldn’t befall Trump, especially if he pulls the dirty tricks that he seems to be planning.
On-going investigations in NYS, DE, Dist of Columbia, CA, HI, and Panama. Columbia may join in.
I’m not sure there are serious state investigations involved in the federal issue of Trump’s Russia connections. Can you provide a link along with a quote.
Some states might be involved in issues involving financial actions within their states which is par for the course where large developers are concerned.
Wht dirty tricks? Spiro was indicted on State level criminal charges. Resigned. Ford selected. Nixon resigned and pardoned by Ford. Two dirt bags removed. I didn’t research it. I lived it.
I think he was indicted by a federal grand jury for violation of federal anti-corruption statutes. ‘Twas a pity. He was a man who didn’t care if he broke the gaffe meter. He had some interesting things to say.